Transcription Activator-Like Effector Nucleases (TALENs): Genome Editing Tool to Explore Enhanced Activity of Antidiabetic Plants

Abstract

Development of genome editing tools based on chimeric nucleases have led us to target and modify specific genome sequences with high precision. These sequence specific nuclease technologies are gaining popularity in the field of medical science for detection, prevention, and treatment of diseases. A major prospect of this gene-editing tool is its application in plant improvement with 404special reference to the introduction of novel genes and modulating gene expression. The primary impediment to transformation, however, is the high rate of illegitimate recombination. Genome engineering tools that induce DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) at desired genomic locations stimulate homology-directed repair (HDR) or error-prone nonhomologous end joining (NHEJ), thus improving transformation rate significantly. Transcription Activator-Like Effector Nucleases (TALENs) is one such tool which is an engineered endonuclease composed of programmable, sequence-specific DNA-binding domain attached to a nonspecific DNA cleavage domain. The competency to quickly and efficiently alter genes using TALENs finds a profound influence on biological research and yields potential therapeutic approaches for chronic illness like diabetes from phytomedicine stand point. Production of plant metabolites that supplement or replace the traditional antidiabetic drug therapy can be manipulated at the molecular level using the genome editing tools. Use of TALENs for pathway elucidation, enhanced secondary metabolite production and creation of knockout mutants for desired traits in medicinal plants have been contemplated in this chapter, and it also intends on giving detailed information on TALENs technology.